ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTING GLOSSARY




 

A-Line Lamp: An incandescent lamp generally used in most indoor residential homes.

Accent Lighting: Lighting used to accent or highlight a particular object and is four or five times the level of ambient light in an area.

Alternating Current (AC): An electric current that changes direction with regular frequency.

Alternator: An electric generator that produces alternating current.

Ambient Lighting: Light that illuminates a space.

American Wire Gauge (AWG): A standard measure representing the size of a wire (a larger number represents a smaller wire).

Ampacity: The current a conductor can carry continuously.

Ampere: A type of electric current that is produced by one volt applied across one ohm.

Analog: A unit of measure that utilizes varying physical restrictions.

Arc Tube: A tube enclosed by a glass made of clear quartz that contains an arc stream.

Ballast: An electrical device used with fluorescent lamps to supply sufficient voltage to operate the lamp but also then limits the current during operation.

Ballast Cycling: An adverse condition where the ballast turns a lamp on and off due to overheating.

Battery: Two or more cells connected together to provide electrical current.

Blower Doors: Devices used to see how much air leaks through windows, doors, and other places in a house.

Branch Circuit: Conductors that protect circuits and outlets.

Brownout: A reduction in power when the demand for electricity exceeds its generating ability.

BTU (British Thermal Unit): The standard unit for measuring heat quantities.

Cable Lighting System: A low voltage lighting system where electricity is conducted through cables.

Candlepower/Candela: Unit of light intensity in a specific direction, measured in "Candelas."

Capacitor: A device that stores electrical charge.

Cathode: An electrode that emits electrons.

Cell: A device that converts chemical energy into electrical current in a battery.

Circuit Breaker: A device designed to open and close a circuit without causing damage to itself.

Circuit Extensions: Items used to extend or add on to an existing circuit to provide an additional power source.

Code Corrections: Procedures used to correct wiring that does not meet proper safety conditions.

Colored Glass Filter: Glass formed with the color in the glass as opposed being coated on the surface.

Color Temperature: A measure of the color appearance of a light source often described with terms such as "warm" (orange) or "cool" (white).

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL): A family of small fluorescent lamps made with a glass tube design and high color illumination.

Constant Wattage (CW) Ballast: A HID ballast where primary and secondary coils are isolated.

Continuous Load: A load which maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more.

Contrast: The relationship between the illumination of an object and its background.

Controller: A device that serves to regulate the electric power delivered to a connected apparatus.

Cornice Lighting: Light sources shielded by a panel parallel to the wall and attached to the ceiling.

Cove Lighting: Light sources shielded by a recess and distribute light over the ceiling.

Current: The flow of electricity measured in amperes.

Cut-off Angle: The angle where a light fixture or other shielding device cuts off direct visibility of the lamp itself.

Daylight Compensation: An energy-saving dimming system that reduces lamp output when in the presence of natural light.

Diffuse: Dispersed light distribution that softens illumination.

Dimmer: A device used to vary the brightness of lamps.

Diode: An electronic semiconductor device that allows a current to flow in just one direction.

Direct Current (DC): Circuit allowing electrons to flow in only one direction.

Downlight: A light fixture recessed into the ceiling and illuminates in a downward direction.

Efficacy: A measure used to compare light output to energy consumption.

Electroluminescent: A light source technology that provides long lamp life while still consuming very little energy.

Electric Resistance Heating: A type of heating system that generates heat by passing current through a conductor, often used in baseboard heating systems.

EMI: Electromagnetic Interference: High frequency interference caused by electronic components that interfere with the operation of electrical equipment.

Emergency Lighting: Lighting for when normal lighting fails.

Energy: The ability to do mechanical work; it is measured in kilowatt-hours.

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER): The ratio of the cooling capacity of the air conditioner to the total electrical input in watts.

Energy-saving Ballast: A magnetic ballast designed to operate more efficiently than "standard magnetic" ballasts.

Fault: A short circuit in an electrical system.

Filament: A tungsten wire that lights when electric current runs through it.

Flexible Track Lighting System: A low-voltage lighting system where the track holding the light fixture is able to bend.

Fluorescent Lamps: Devices that produce light by passing electricity through a gas.

Foot-Candle: The amount of light reaching an object.

Four-Way Switch: A wall switch allowing three switches to control one lighting system.

Frequency: The rate at which a current changes direction.

Generator: A rotating machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Glare: A condition caused by light coming directly into the eye from a light source.

Grid: An electrical distribution network.

Ground: A connection between an electrical circuit and the earth.

Halogen Lamp: An incandescent lamp that contains halogen gases which slow the evaporation of the tungsten filament.

Hard Wired: A light fixture permanently connected to an electrical source with a cord.

Hertz (Hz): The unit of frequency.

HID Lamp: High Intensity Discharge lamps have a longer life and tend to provide more light than most light sources.

High Bay: A type of lighting where the ceiling is 20 feet or higher.

High Output (HO): A lamp or ballast designed to operate at higher currents in order to produce more lumens.

High-Tech Troubleshooting: A procedure used to identify any electrical problems.

Horsepower: A unit of power equal to 746 watts.

Hot Restart/Hot Restrike: The automatic restarting of a HID light source after a momentary loss in power.

Illuminance (Light Level): The light incident on a surface.

Impulse: A current's surge.

Incandescent Light Bulbs: Light bulbs that produce light by passing electricity through a thin filament.

Infrared Cameras: Cameras used to see any heat leaking out of a building.

Infrared Radiation: An invisible radiation where wavelengths are longer and lower than that of visible radiation.

Instant Start: Fluorescent lamps that start instantly without pre-heating their cathodes.

Insulation: Materials that have a high resistance to electrical currents.

Inverter: A device that converts direct current into alternating current.

Ion: A positively or negatively charged atom or molecule.

Joule: A unit of energy equal to one watt for one second.

Kilovolt (kV): A unit of electrical potential equal to 1,000 volts.

Kilowatt (kW): Real power delivered to a load.

Kilowatt-hour: A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt for one hour; the typical unit used to measure energy and for billing customers.

Layers: Layers of light in a given space that are created by several different kinds of lighting (a combination of task, general, ambient, and accent lighting systems, etc).

LED: Light Emitting Diode: a small, energy-efficient electronic light that has a very long life.

Light Loss Factor (LLF): Factors that allow a lighting system to operate at less than initial conditions.

Light Trespass/Spill Light: Light emitted into an unintended area.

Life Cycle Cost: Total costs associated with purchasing and operating a system over its lifetime.

Limit Switch: A switch used to alter the electric circuit.

Liquid-Filled Transformer: A transformer immersed in a liquid that acts as both a cooling and insulating method.

Live Parts: Electric components that are uninsulated or exposed and are therefore hazardous.

Load: The amount of power supplied by an electrical device.

Load break: Disconnecting a load without damage.

Load Center: The source for all power to a structure.

Load Curve: A way to plot the electronic demand versus time.

Load Factor: Measures how efficiently an electrical system's capacity is utilized.

Load Switching: Transferring a load from one source to another.

Louver: A screen made of opaque material to minimize glare from a light source.

Low Voltage: A wiring system that provides power to an electronic device

operating on a voltage level lower than the standard 110 volts.

Lumen: A unit of measure used to describe the amount of light a lamp emits.

Luminaire: A light fixture.

Mercury Vapor Lamp: A HID lamp where light is produced by radiation from mercury vapor.

Metal Enclosed/Metalclad: A device that is surrounded by a metal casing.

Metal Halide: A HID lamp where the light is produced by radiation of metal halide and mercury vapors.

Motors: Electronic device used to move, switch, or adjust one or more of the systems within a dwelling.

National Electrical Code (NEC): A guideline used for safeguarding people/property from electrical hazards.

Neodymium: A silvery metal used to make purple glass for incandescent light bulbs, eye protection goggles, laser rods, filters, and lenses.

Occupancy Sensor: Control device that turns lights off after a space becomes unoccupied.

Ohm: The unit used for measuring resistance.

Opaque: A material that does not transmit visible light.

Optics: The components of a light fixture; the light emitting performance of a fixture.

Outlet: Where a current is taken to supply something outside the wiring system.

Overload: The excess of normal capacity that could cause damage due to overheating.

Overvoltage: A voltage that is above the normal rated voltage for a circuit.

PAR Lamp: A parabolic aluminized reflector lamp.

Pendant: Lamps equipped with shades to avoid glare that are suspended from the ceiling.

Phase: Classification of an AC circuit.

Photocell: A light-sensing device that controls light fixtures and dimmers in response to detected light levels.

Power: The rate at which energy is transferred.

Power Outage: An interruption in power.

Power Outlet: An assembly intended to distribute power to temporary equipment.

Preheat: A ballast that uses a starter to heat up a fluorescent lamp before high voltage starts it.

Puncture: A disruptive discharge that occurs in a solid dielectric.

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI): Interference to a radio frequency band caused by other high frequency equipment in the area.

Rapid Start: A fluorescent system that does not require starters and emits light very quickly.

Rated Life: The time at which half of a certain kind of lamp will burn out.

Reactive Power: The product of voltage and current consumed by reactive loads.

Real (Active) Power: The rate at which energy is transferred, often measured in watts or kilowatts.

Receptacles: Power sources in a structure that provide electricity.

Reflector/Refractor: The device on a light fixture that shrouds the lamp and redirects the light emitted from it.

Regulation: The ballast’s ability to hold a constant output despite fluctuations in voltage.

Relay: A device that switches a load on or off due to small changes in its current.

Resistor: Anything that limits a current's flow.

Retrofit: Upgrading a preexisting fixture by installing new parts.

Sconce: A light fixture attached to a wall.

Semi-specular: Light reflection characteristics of a material.

Service: Equipment used for delivering electric energy from a utility to a wiring system.

Series Gap: Internal gap(s) where voltage is supposed to appear.

Series/Multiple: The winding of two coils that are connected for series/multiple operation.

Service Cable: Conductors transferred by cables.

Spacing Criterion: The maximum distance that interior fixtures may be spaced to ensure uniform illumination.

Specular: A mirrored or polished surface.

Starter: An electrical device used to start a fluorescent lamp.

Stroboscopic Effect: When rotating machinery appears to be standing still due to the alternating current supplied to multiple light sources.

Switchboard: A large assembly of panels mounted with protective devices.

Switches: Circuit interruption devices that control the flow of electricity in the home.

Symmetric: The normal flow of current.

Systems Capacity: A system that has met a customer's need.

Tap: A connection made from outside the wiring system.

Tandem Wiring: An option where a ballast is shared by two or more luminaries, thereby increasing efficiency.

Task Lighting: Lighting that is specifically installed to illuminate an area where tasks are performed.

Three-Way Switch: A wall switch allowing two switches to control one lighting system.

Track and Accent Lighting: A lighting system that provides variable degrees of light in multiple directions.

Transfer Switch: An electronic device that can disconnect from one power source in order to connect to another.

Transformer: A device wherein electromagnetic induction transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another.

Transient: A high amplitude, short duration pulse overlaid onto the normal voltage.

Translucent: A material through which some light is transmitted but causes some distortion.

Transparent: A material that transmits visible light with very little distortion.

Troffer: A recessed light fixture that uses fluorescent lamps and is installed flush with the ceiling.

Turn Ratio: The number of turns in a high voltage winding in relation to that of a low voltage winding.

UL: Underwriters Laboratories, Inc: a not-for-profit safety organization.

Uninterruptible Power Supply: A device that provides a constant output in spite of interruption.

Uplight: Light directed from a light fixture at or above 90 degrees.

UV Radiation: Light that is invisible to the eye.

Vandal-resistant: Fixtures with break-resistant shielding and tamper-proof screws.

Vapor-Tight Luminaire: A light fixture that doesn’t allow water vapor or gas to enter its enclosure.

VCP: Visual Comfort Probability: a rating system for evaluating direct glare.

Very High Output (VHO): A fluorescent lamp operating at a very high current and therefore creating more light than a standard lamp.

Volt: An electrical flow that carries a current of one ampere.

Voltage Drop: The loss of voltage due to electrical resistance of a wire and its light fixture.

Wall Grazing: Dramatic light and shadow effects on a surface.

Wall Washing: A special lighting method that produces an even level of light on a wall in order to reduce the surface's texture.

Watt: A unit of power equal to one ampere.

Wiring: A distribution network conducting electricity throughout a building.

Whole-House Fan: A fan used to ventilate an entire building.

 

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